Without UN approval, US and Britain have launched attacks on Iraq. In his speech to the nation, President Bush said "We will meet that threat (Iraq)now with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters, police and doctors on the streets of our cities."

This has triggered two important questions,

1) Right of 'Preemptive Attack' where one country invades the other on the basis of information that the later is preparing for war against the former and 2) The effectiveness of UNO which in this case has failed to stop the war.

In all other cases, when a country is attacked by another, the country who launch the attack is called aggressor and is condemned by the rest.

What do you think how should the countries of the world including Pakistan, respond to US attack on Iraq ?

Should the invaders be called aggressors and be condemned?

Reader Comments:

Use the UN!

All nations should use their good offices at the United Nations and pass a resolution condemning the United States of America and the United Kingdom governments for their illegal invasion of a sovereign nation. They should include, as part of the resolution, an order to the effect that the US and UK should make full restitution.
I speak as a UK and European citizen, who is disgusted with his own government, and who weeps for the innocent dead.

John Flemming, United Arab Emirates - 11 April, 2003

The U.S. has done a great job letting freedom ring for the Iraqis. There are always casualties in every war. The U.S. has just helped the Iraqi people speak their belief of freedom. Sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in or your beliefs will never live on. You should hsve seen the faces of the Iraqi people when Saddam's statue fell. You should hear some of their responses. All of what I have heard I'll remember for the rest of my life. It brings a smile to your face. Even the soldiers are happy and now can see what they were fighting for if they didn't know before. It was for the Iraqi people so their beliefs could live on. Let freedom ring.

Perle, United Kingdom - 11 April, 2003

I can't believe how many people are against a war that is trying to better the lives of others. It seems like there are so many negative people in this world, it makes me sick. I'm glad that there are still a few people who DO want what is best for everyone and do believe in freedom. I'm not naive. I understand that freedom comes with a price. But a life without freedom is no life at all. I, for one, am proud of our soldiers, both American and British!

Iris, United Kingdom - 11 April, 2003

reply to Iris/ Michelle

Iris/Michelle - I admire your positive attitude. I myself am sick of conspiracy theorists - and cynics - who constantly complain about how things will never change, etc. However, whilst your spirit is admirable and enthusiasm for freedom applauded - I proffer that many who are anti-war/ occupation in Iraq maintain that position by virtue of looking at the whole picture. That entails an understanding of international relations, global capitalism, the history of the West's interventions, vested Western interests, Middle Eastern politics - and then in the context of the rather superficial arguments that were made for the war in the first place - WMDs/terrorism/liberation.

The rather unconvincing arguments of the latter three issues - which no doubt our leaders believe, together with the inability of our ruling elites to address domestic problems – make it important to start thinking about re-claiming the democratic imagination – and refusing the rather superficial politics that we have of late settled with. Fighting a war at home is more appropriate - don't you think?

Additionally - what is it to say that we are free in the West? · freedom of speech: where we are monitored by our police/ security services - and where Governments do not listen to our collective voices anyway (UK - prime example) · consumer freedom: freedom to choose a Sony DVD over a Phillips. Wow - how profound. · free market: the freedom to restrict the freedom of others: i.e. for capital to exploit labour to the highest degree possible. · freedom of expression: is this not superficial cultural freedom? What happened to being a citizen - with political participation?

It seems to me that before people start banging on about what freedoms they have - they should really ask to what extent these so called freedoms are satisfactory - or even significant. I think that your positivity would be better directed in fighting for a system where we can all really participate in politics - where democracy is substantive in all senses: economic, social and political, rather than supporting a government that plays Nanny hyper-power (including the rest of the coalition) in a global quest to 'free' other people.

It just goes to show that we have reached an impasse internally when we ignore our seemingly insurmountable problems and start projecting them on others. That is a loss of the spirit of freedom. Who knows - maybe if the Iraqis had freed themselves - we would have seen something more desirable that the rather limited idea/practice that constitutes our liberal democracies.

Jason J, United Arab Emirates - 11 April, 2003

Michelle, 'good' intentions are not always tantamount to just outcomes e.g. should we not incarcerate the mentally ill individual who strangled h/er friend when h/er intention was only to show affection?. That aside - if you prefer to keep your head stubbornly where an ostrich would, I am afraid that as with the rest of those that learn their history and politics on the TV- Fox news/ CNN (now now now - with the distinct absences of historical/ critical reflection) - there in little hope that you will ever live the enlightened life - the 'good life' as Socrates put it. Truth comes through critical analysis - both of the self and simultaneously in relation to others - and not through blind trust of one's 'representatives' - or more pertinently, their propaganda .

If you continue with the latter - you will always remain a naive child - unable to create a truth for yourself - and instead perpetually at the mercy of others imposing their truth (will) on you. You may see parallels here between a foreign invader 'liberating' you and the entirely different act of liberating yourself.

Amanda, United Arab Emirates - 11 April, 2003

Bosnia, Kosovo NOT Sanctioned

To the writer from United Kingdom, you state that Bosnia and Kosovo were sanctioned by the UN. Check the facts, the UN did NOT sanction either. Clinton went in without sanction of the UN. This is a FACT. Clinton did it without going to the UN because he knew it would not be sanctioned. Pres. Bush gave the UN an opportunity to make the RIGHT choice, alas they failed.

Vicki, United Kingdom - 12 April, 2003

Unprovoked Invasion

This should not be considered a war. It
was too one sided for that. It was an
Invasion of another country, unprovoked,
illegal, and very unhumanitarian in the
way it was carried out. It is just the
beginning of a quest for power by the rogue regime, currently in the Whitehouse.
Another Hitler is on the March.
If we aren't careful we will all be doing the goosestep. Or sitting in
prison camps.
The biggest smile in the news this morning was that of Laura Bush, either
she doesn't know whats going on in the world or she has is bitten by the same Satan as Ann Coulter.

gypsirodes, Pakistan - 13 April, 2003

Diplomatic Faux Pas

First the Viceroy of Canada berated the
colony for not supporting the Crawford
House and insulting the Crown.Now the
royal spokesman told the colony that His Majesty will not visit the colony.I
think we should dump the pretzels in the Potomac and declare independence.We
simply refused to hand the pirates,if
they swam across to our ship.Now that realy infuriated His Majesty GeorgeVII.

Khalid Rahim, Canada - 13 April, 2003

OPERATION OF PAKISTANIES FREEDOM

ALLAH says that I impose the leaders on the nations according to their faith & sincerity. So we should think that how much we are strong in our faiths & how much we are sincere to one another & to our country.If individually we would be able to improve ourselves, we will be among the strongest nations of world.Now its upto us whether we would like THE OPERATION OF PAKISTANIES FREEDOM by ownselves or by USA.

waqas, Pakistan - 14 April, 2003

I read with interest your "reporting" on events occurring in Iraq. My question is this: where were all the protests and cries of indignation while Saddam was systematically murdering and torturing the Iraqi people? I can only assume that it was condoned by your organization and those supporting your views. I truly do not understand how anyone can protest the death of innocent civilians in this war, and yet turn away from the fact that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died at the hands of this brutal regime. Has anyone thought of how many more would have died had this regime continued in power? I'm sure this will not be printed...

alisonmckinney, - 14 April, 2003

Boycott USA= Unjust Selfish Aggerssor

A lot has been said, written and talked about what has happened and happing in iraq; and what has started there will come to an according to to the criminals and gangsters running the office in america. We have seen that nothing is working to stop this sub humane assult on iraq and than other countries in the region. The only way to stop this blind monster is a complete boycott. If we start a wave of boycotting american products as much as we can and convince people around us, and continue it for as long as it takes to weaken american economy. May be a little pain in its back bone will make it stop. And a little effort on our behalf will make a big difference....if only we unite and start a wave of "boycotting usa."

Tabeel Ahmed, Canada - 14 April, 2003

Jason, UK. While I respect your opinion about our limited freedoms, I dont necessarily share them. Freedom truly does mean something in The States. I wake up every morning with a freedom to choose how to spend my day, my children are learning the same values, they are told often that they can be whatever it is that they want in life ( both females). I believe this! and I believe that my country offers them this freedom. Another example, I had the freedom to either vote for President George Bush, or cast my vote elsewhere (which I did not). This freedom that I speak of, that Is what I want every person worldwide to have.

michelle2, United Kingdom - 14 April, 2003

All Americans don't support Bush

Please do not judge all Americans by Bush and his "advisors."

I did not vote for him in 2000, he was not elected and I do not support him or his illegal, immoral war in Iraq.

Terry Callen, United Kingdom - 15 April, 2003

Modern Day Nazis

It is interesting to observe that the helmetsworn by US troops invading Iraq are similar to the Nazi helmets of WWII. Perhaps, HItler was a role model for the present US foreign and military policies. Hopefully, they will share a similar historical fate once the world scrounges enough courage and fortitude to stand up to the present day US Nazis and their sheer meanness.

Sal Condor, United Kingdom - 16 April, 2003

Will aggression of super power on Iraq lead the third world war?

I think , the whole of world as well as pakistan should oppose the USA and its Allies for unjustice war against Iraq and in response , they should all bycott USA and it Allies so that future of the poor nations and poor countries may be saved from the cruel hands.

CH JAMIL AHMED KHAN, Pakistan - 16 April, 2003

reply to Michelle

Michelle- freedom is important to most - which is precisely why many are discontent about the rather limited scope of them - and their apparent contraction. Regarding the freedoms you mention, I think it would be a mistake to assume that those living in Iraq could not also choose how they spent their day - life in Iraq was not some scene from George Orwell's 1984 - where upon waking you are summoned to assume position for collective exercise.

What really makes a population unfree - is to limit the potentialities of its citizens - and to reduce them to near animals by virtue maintaining a mode of organization that necessitates individuals almost exclusively thinking about how to fill their stomachs.

If you take a look at most crimes - you will see that they all sustained by want – entail some one who has nothing/ little stealing from / killing another to gain something. And all this when we could in fact organize production in a democratic way that would eliminate need and free man from a rather primitive animal-like being. That fundamental unfreedom is, unfortunately, characteristic of all of our 'freedom loving' nations. This is why I said that we should rather start trusting ourselves and further fighting at home for our freedoms – and not in thinking that we are all as one with our professional ruling elites in fighting for a just globe.

Take a look at the dynamics of the free market system - and you will see that when a system is predicated upon the false idea of scarcity, war is inevitable. Regarding women in Iraq, the regime did not seek to restrict women's freedoms - as was the case in Afghanistan. With some of these underdeveloped countries the issues has rather been cultural - as was the case before women started fighting for freedom against both society and the political apparatuses. Why then, in the case of the middle east, should countries be invaded to liberate these women – can they not fight for their own specific freedoms by themselves?

If we take this liberation view – then the Soviet Union may well have been right to invade the USA and the UK in claming that culturally – and thus institutionally, we oppressed our women. Women were accorded full equal rights in the Soviet Union in 1917 – along with the legalization of abortion and homosexuality (the latter unfortunately repealed under Stalin). Who was the more progressive? Incidentally, Bush et al is attempting to turn the clock apropos of the rights of women over their bodies, is he not?

Again, I reiterate – the grotesque regime that ruled over the Iraqi people was a matter for them to deal with – otherwise, we are on a slippery slope to trotting around the globe destroying each nation's 'evolution' – resulting in certain instability, a loss of our own freedoms and the democratic imagination - and the undermining of the fundamental principle of liberalism – tolerance, how ever flawed I think the concept is

Jason J, United Arab Emirates - 16 April, 2003

IF YOUR NOT PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN THEN BY ALL MEANS, LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously Sal, you and a lot of other people are not listening. This is a war that was sought by the Iraqi people. Granted, they don't want to be ruled by the US (which I understand), they knew and accepted the price of war. Just listen to the people!!!! They knew that there would be civilian casualty and accepted even that, with the hope that the next generation would live a full and rewarding life without the murderous dictator who controlled every aspect of their life. If you dont like the US, by all means, remove your self from it's soil. I personally am proud to be an American. How can you call us the dictators when this man and his regime murdered and tortured the very people he was suppose to be helping??? Sorry, I just dont understand!!

Michelle2, United Kingdom - 16 April, 2003

USA

CH JAMIL AHMED KHAN, I am sure that you and others will boycot the USA. If you feel the need to go ahead. We are only tring to give people the life that they deserve to live. It will not hurt us if you do boycot us. Because guess what, I as an AMERICAN AND MANY OTHER AMERICANS HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS ONLY BUYING PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA OF AND WILL CONTINUE TO BUY USA MADE PRODUCTS SUCH AS CLOTHING,CARS,FOOD,ETC. So if you feel like the people need to get beat to death and so on your just as bad as Saddam. We AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY. SO DON'T GET UPSET FOR US TRYING TO HELP.

STACIE
USA
GO TROOPS GET'EM MEN AND WOMEN

Stacie, United Kingdom - 17 April, 2003

I think, the Pakistan military force should buy 10000 russian made anti-tank IR At-15 rocket to defend the pakistan and your religion in next comming war against your country.you don't need tank and fighter jet,because they can't do notthing against USA force.Pakistan is Islamic country and Mr. Bush want to kill muslims or convert them to their religion. Pakistan need to have good defence force. it is better for muslims to die,then being the slaves of America. but 80% of muslims are already slaves of American.

sayeed, Georgia - 17 April, 2003

different view

Jason- Admittedly you are very persuasive with your perspective, however it's not quite that simple. I'm not saying that the Iraqi people are to weak to defend themselves, I'm simply saying that people of "any nationality" trapped under such a harsh regime could lose the will to fight. Fear comes in many forms, ie, physical and mental abuse. Those are the easiest forms, retalliation on ones' loved ones is the surest way to create fear for any person of any nationality. That is the fear that this regime thrived on.

I truly feel for these people, even under the knowledge that they are not fans of America. I understand there mistrust of our country, and respect the opinion as their right. I feel much love and pride for my country, but as I've previously stated, we are far removed from perfect. The truest travesty of this whole conflict falls on the American shoulders. The Iraqi people thought we were there to "save" them twelve years ago, and were savagely tortured and oppressed then. I feel that failure!! I can't answer the question of why we left unfinished business, other than UN involvment. I can only say that I sadly regret that mistake, and hope that in time the Iraqi people can forgive our past transgression. I wish happiness to them, and all nations of the world.

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